Santa Cruz Trek in Cordillera Blanca

After an early breakfast in your hotel in Huaraz, your driver will pick you up to drive through the northern part of the Callejón de Huaylas and via the city of Yungay to get to the Huascaran National Park. On the way you will pass the beautiful lagoons of Llanganuco and the Portachuelo pass at 15,616 feet (4,760 m) from where you will get spectacular views of Peru´s highest peaks, Huascarán, Pisco and Chopicalqui.

The town of Vaquería at 11,800 feet (3,600 m) is the start of the Santa Cruz trek.

On this first day you will start with a gentle hike uphill to your camp in Paria at 12,700 feet (3,870 m).

Overnight at the camp site in Paria.

After breakfast you will get ready for the longest and most challenging day of the trek. Start hiking uphill among quenual trees, endemic to the high altitude of the Andes, before reaching the highest point of the trek, the Punta Union pass at 15,583 feet (4,750 m). From this scenic point of view, take your time to spot the surrounding summits: Taulliraju, Paria, Rinrihirka and Pucajirca.

From this point the hike will go down to your camp in Taullipampa at 13,780 feet (4,200 m) where you will have dinner and rest after this 7-hour walking day.

Overnight at your camp site in Taullipampa.

After breakfast, you will set out on an uphill track to the viewpoint of the Alpamayo summit. Culminating at 13,950 feet (4,250 m) it is considered to be the most beautiful mountain in the world.

The trail then goes down the valley passing by the lagoons of Ichicocha and Hatuncocha and the snow-capped peaks of Caraz, Artensoraju and Alpamayo in the background.

After your 7-hour walking day you will reach your camp in Llamacorral at 12,335 feet (3,760 m) where you will have dinner and rest.

Overnight at your camp in Llamacorral.

After a hearty breakfast, the day will start with a descent down the slopes of the ravine to the town of Cashapampa at 9,515 feet (2,900 m). This last hike will take about 3 hours to complete before getting to the vehicle that will take you to Huaraz.

Dive back to Huaraz amongst impressive scenic views of the cordillera central (3 hours).